Poker is a card game in which each player puts in chips (representing money, for which poker is almost invariably played) in a pot when they believe or hope that they have a good hand. Then they may call the bet, raise it, or fold. The winner of the hand is determined by a combination of probability, psychology, and game theory.
Before the game starts each player must place in the pot a certain amount of chips called the ante. Then a card is dealt to each player. The player to the left of the dealer begins each betting interval by either calling or raising the previous bet and must continue in this manner. The game continues until one player has a winning hand.
A flush is five cards of the same rank. This can be any combination of kings, queens, jacks, and/or tens. If more than one player has a flush the highest card wins.
A three of a kind is three cards of the same rank and two cards of another rank. This is a very strong hand and often beats a high pair. A straight is five cards of the same suit, in sequence from ace to six. This is a very strong hand and beats most hands. Observe experienced players to develop quick instincts. You will find that there are many complicated systems for playing poker, but it is important to develop good instincts and be fast and accurate in your decisions.